“Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.” (John 21:4-7 NIV)
The disciples didn’t know it was Jesus when He called out to them. They heard a voice, but after all the time they walked with Him, spoken with Him, served with Him, they still could not recognize His voice because they were so distant from Him. Here Peter the ‘leader,’ made the decision to go back to what he knew. Because he couldn’t physically walk with Jesus, he began to walk on his own and in the process, Peter led other disciples back to what they use to do, instead of leading them to where Jesus promised them to go.
So quickly we forget to listen to the promise even when we don’t see Him through the process. Jesus yelled to His disciples and though they did not recognize His voice, they still casted the net. I believe it was His spiritual authority that caused them to act on casting the net even though they had not yet known who they were obeying.
Peter, still unfocused on the promise, that as they collected the many fish he Still didn’t realize he was in the same place Jesus had taken him from the beginning.
It took another disciple to open Peter’s ears and his eyes to know it was Jesus calling them back, back from their old ways, back from what they use to know and TO the promises made when HE walked with them.
Once Peter knew it was the Lord he couldn’t help himself and he jumped out of the boat to meet Jesus. Sometimes we can lead others back to where we’ve already been taken from but if we are listening and understand we have a promise then we can act towards the will of God and help ourselves and others to fulfill the promise. Jesus has called us to have ears that hear, have you heard HIS voice during this fast, it’s day #7, what has HE called you to do? Who has HE called you to lead to the promise?
Let’s be women that listen, understand and act!!! It’s time to TAKE ACTION!!!
Michelle Roman
Fast- Your Choice
Target-Recovery Homes & Campus
"A Call to Arms" Fasting Forum 2015 